PEOPLE wanting to adopt a baby are being given the chance to look after a child from birth in a fast track adoption scheme launched in the region.

Foster to Adopt run by Barnardo’s North East is a form of fostering that places children at the earliest possible opportunity with specially trained adoptive parents who act as foster carers.

Under the scheme, children will be able to move in with their possible, future families before lengthy legal procedures are finalised.

Angela Tatum, manager for Barnardo’s North East fostering and adoption team, based in Chester-le-Street, said: “Most adopters would prefer to adopt a baby, but we know that the process leading to a child being put up for adoption can be a long one.

“We also know that babies and toddlers need security and stability to give them the best chance of growing into healthy, happy adults.

“This Foster to Adopt scheme offers one of the best chances for babies in care, while their future is being decided.”

Instead of going to temporary foster carers, a baby is placed with their potential adoptive parent until the legal situation is resolved.

Mrs Tatum added: “This has many obvious benefits for both the child and the carers.

"It allows the early months and years of the child’s life to be settled and stable and for the carers, it gives them the opportunity to care for a child from birth, which is what many adopters want.”

The charity acknowledges there is a slight risk for the carers, who have to live with the uncertainty of the final outcome decided by the court.

However, the Foster to Adopt scheme only takes place where the local authority responsible for the child is clear that their future plan for the child is adoption, the charity said.

Martin and Susan, not their real names, were Barnardo’s North East’s first Foster to Adopt carers.

Susan: “We thought Foster to Adopt was an amazing idea and even more so when we got Hannah at only 12 hours old.

“We spent four months going to contact meetings with Hannah’s birth parents and we got on with them and chatted to them about the close family, the extended family and so on.”

For details on the scheme, call Barnardo’s North East on 0191-492-9000.